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Athens

Practical info Athens, Greece

Getting around the city

Most tourist sites are within the city centre, which is easy to get around on foot; however, there is an extensive public transport network consisting of buses, trolley buses, trams and a fast three-line underground metro service. The metro and the tram network are especially useful for tourists. Transport is cheap, but often overcrowded, especially during the siesta rush hour (1-3pm). Most public transport operates until midnight, with a limited night bus and tram service operating along major routes. Although taxis are plentiful it may be difficult to get one during the siesta rush hour, and it is not unusual to share the ride with other passengers. It is often easier to phone ahead for a cab. Taxis are inexpensive, but always check that the meter is on and set to the minimum fare as drivers often attempt to overcharge tourists. Legitimate surcharges can increase the final bill, but these should be displayed on the dashboard. Driving in Athens is not recommended; cars are banned from the commercial centre, and parking anywhere is near impossible.

Time

GMT +2 (GMT +3 between last Sunday in March and last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts and 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use, including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.

Currency

The official currency is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros.

Communication

The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Athens is 210. There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Coverage is exceptional. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the internet from hotels.

Climate

Athens is one of the sunniest cities in Europe, with a semi-arid climate and little rainfall, although short, heavy showers do fall during the cooler months (mid-October to mid-April). Summers are very hot and smoggy, and heat waves are common during July and August when the mercury can soar to over 104°F (40ºC). Winters are mild and sunny although frost can occur and nights can be cold. The best time to travel to Athens is during the cooler, fine weather of spring and early summer, between late April and early June. Autumn (September and October) can also be a pleasant time. Although summer can be oppressively hot it is still peak tourist season and the period when the beaches and attractions are most crowded.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

Getting to the city

Metro Line 3 connects the airport with central Athens. The airport is also served by four public bus routes, which connect to destinations in the greater area of Athens and Piraeus, with buses running frequently day and night. Athens International is also connected to Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station) by the Suburban Rail line.

Car rental

Avis, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise and Sixt are all represented at the airport.

Airport taxi's

A taxi to the centre of the Athens costs about €38 during the day, but substantially more at night. The journey takes roughly half an hour to an hour depending on the traffic. Taxis can be found at the designated taxi waiting area located at Exit 3 of the main Arrivals level.

Transfer between terminals

The two terminals are connected by a walkway.

Facilities

The airport features banks and ATMs, currency exchange services, a tax refund desk, travel agencies, conference facilities, a business centre, a tourist information desk, numerous shops and restaurants, and a food court.

Parking

There is short and long-term parking available in the airport; short-term parking is on the arrivals level and costs €3.80 for the first hour (up to 20 minutes are free), while long-term parking is found across the access road in P3 and costs €13 for the first day and €50 for a week. Long-term parking is connected to the terminal by a free shuttle.